AIMsi Software

AIMsi is a mature, end-to-end software solution that can be used in any retail environment. Offering more than just "off-the-shelf" functionality, AIMsi is a complete business management solution that provides Point of Sale, accounting, inventory tracking and customer management, as well as a suite of add-on modules that can support the needs of a variety of specialty retailers.

AIMsi was designed to be extremely user-friendly; the company has been developing tools for the industry for almost thirty years and utilized this extensive experience to design a system that is simple to learn and operate. The add-on modules make this software a great fit for retailers frustrated with other more generic systems on the market because AIMsi allows them to build their own custom solution by adding just the features they need.

Custom add-on modules include some really great tools for retailers that have a repair or service department, like bicycle or sewing machine retailers. It also offers a Lesson Scheduling module, which is great for hobby shops or musical instrument stores that teach classes. There's also a really useful add-on for rental management, which helps retailers that manage short-term rentals and rent to own, as well as support contracts or extended warranty contracts. Retailers seeking a web presence can utilize Active-e, the software's e-commerce solution. Recent updates to the software have also made AIMsi a great fit for consignment retailers.

The software includes full financials, including AP/AR and General Ledger and is also PCI and PA-DSS certified, for those that want to integrate credit card processing. The support team resides in-house, and encourages a consultative, relationship-building approach to customer service.

We recommend AIMsi to any specialty retailer seeking a fully integrated business management system that's tailored to their unique needs.

Organization to the rescue

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Likes Best

This product is always tech supported, has not crashed or caused issue and helps all select locations (stores) stay organized with product.

Likes Least

I dislike the menu set up and it takes some time to learn how to use the program successfully.

Recommendations

The program is well-organized, efficient, but has a learning curve.

Jeffrey from Carlton Music Center
Specialty: Other specialty retailerSize of portfolio: 21 to 50 usersPortfolio size: 21 to 50 users

October 2014

October 2014

Utile and comprensive.

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Likes Best

It offers many modules that are designed to address the various needs of our business.

Likes Least

I am disappointed that the reports section is not more customizable. I have also noticed what I believe to be some quirks in the way inventory is maintained.

Recommendations

I do not have any specific recommendations concerning this software.

Steven from The Music Center Inc.
Specialty: Other specialty retailerSize of portfolio: 6 to 10 usersPortfolio size: 6 to 10 users

October 2014

October 2014

Seven year AIMsi user

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Likes Best

The software itself feels rock solid. Most problems I experience are a result of our ISP and our IT guy being off premises.

Likes Least

On rare occasions, our printer has connection issues, but a restart usually fixes it. I'm not sure if it's a problem with AIMsi or if it's external. I would like a change in how emailing a receipt works. You have to print a paper copy to email. The biggest drawback is the cost for each module. I know it's business software and anything that works well is not inexpensive. As long as it works as well as it does, it's an accepted trade-off.

Recommendations

This is the only POS software our company has ever used. We've upgraded over the years (about 14), so it's the only software I know. I still think we made a solid choice.

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Likes Least

Inventory management is not always accurate and sometimes malfunctions.

Recommendations

Make sure that your internet works fast and will not go down.

Lee from carlton music
Specialty: Other specialty retailerSize of portfolio: 21 to 50 usersPortfolio size: 21 to 50 users

October 2014

October 2014

AIMsi review

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Likes Best

I like the access I have for both customer and inventory history and how it merges them. I get a response of "We can do that" and they do.

Likes Least

When searching for a customer and I type the account number in and the program is asking me for last name. When I change it to search by account number, the number is gone when I make the change and I have to reenter the number.

Recommendations

Easy to manage and use!

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Likes Best

I like the organization of the sale and manage inventory. Knowing that I can look at other stores' inventory and get transfers also makes the process easier than having to order new stock for each individual store. I originally came from a small music store where everything was done on paper such as contracts, payments, and all sales. It made organization a lot tougher and more room for mathematical error. With the computerized equations and adding and subtracting, totals are much easier to find, and less human paperwork and calculating are required.

Likes Least

I have noticed that some payment processing and saving transactions seem to hang up at the end and take a few seconds to process and complete. Also, at times, the software seems to overwork itself or the computer, cause AIMsi to be unresponsive, and freeze up the computer.

Recommendations

Taking time to learn and discover the different abilities of the software makes it extremely quick and easy to use the basic functions available.

Thomas from The Music Center Morganton NC
Specialty: Other specialty retailerSize of portfolio: 2 to 5 usersPortfolio size: 2 to 5 users

October 2014

October 2014

Consistent performance

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Likes Best

From a POS perspective, AIMsi gives me consistent performance with little or no problems.

Likes Least

The reporting capabilities could be tweaked. It would be advantageous to set inventory levels and be prompted when it is time to reorder.

Recommendations

I would recommend that anyone considering this software to be certain upon purchase and to have thorough training for associates as to the capabilities of the packages installed. Too often, exploration is required to find how certain aspects work.

Adam from The Music Center
Specialty: Books & musicSize of portfolio: 21 to 50 usersPortfolio size: 21 to 50 users

October 2014

October 2014

The Music Center Lenoir NC Manager

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Likes Best

AIMsi allows The Music Center to quickly locate inventory between our six stores.

Likes Least

The only issue I have had is when we made the transition from AIMsi 9 to the current version. We had a couple of workdays when the POS closed down on us. Currently, a feature that would be very helpful is the email receipt. This is has not worked properly since this feature was opened up.

Recommendations

We run rental contracts. I wish we had better control over the pages we printed out for our contracts.

AIMsi Experience

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Likes Best

There are a vast amount of reports that can be generated with the software, which is important to businesses like mine. Many other P.O.S's have some standardized reports available, but AIMsi allows you to tailor the reports to your needs. AIMsi also allows you to create a touchscreen POS interface, which is convenient for quick sales and short ticket transactions.

Likes Least

Although it's not a problem particularly for myself, my co-workers felt it is not so simple to navigate and use. There is a training version available to circumvent that. Granted, with everything that the AIMsi allows you to do, it is understandable that interface would have to a little bit crowded. I would've liked a streamlined version without all the technical back-end options so that it would be easier to train new staff.

Recommendations

This software is great for managing inventory and purchase orders. However, if you're looking for just a simple POS for small and simple transactions, I would not recommend it.

Great Product

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Likes Best

When I first started looking for software, the sales people for AIMsi were very attentive and answered all the questions I had. The product is user-friendly for those that do not have much software knowledge.

Likes Least

I have not come across anything that I didn't like yet. I am still exploring it, but I haven't found anything wrong.

Recommendations

Make sure that you know exactly what you are looking for, and that the person that is your vendor now will help with the transition to the new product.